Chocolate Dipped Strawberries Are Better Than Gift Cards

Alright, not everyone will agree with me about dipped strawberries being better than gift cards, but they sure change up the gift giving game. And let's be honest, they are a pretty perfect gift for any occasion, be it Mother's Day, Father's Day, Valentine's Day, or Teacher Appreciation Day. When it comes to teacher appreciation gifts I never really know what a teacher needs.  I know that no teacher NEEDS chocolate or strawberries, but I know that indulging in a delicious treat helps calm my nerves, and lets be honest, we are nearing the end of the school year.  If kids are going crazy, teachers are too.

If I were a really awesome blogger I would have written up teacher appreciation gift ideas in February, but I can't even be considered a blogger at this point.  So, I thought I'd just share this for next time, or a last minute Mother's Day gift idea.

Arroz Con Leche

Source: camillestyles.com via Tricia on Pinterest

It's a wet and cold start to spring here in Idaho.  We had beautiful weather yesterday, but typical of March, that changed quickly.  Grey skies always make me want to stay warm in my pajamas all day long, and that fact that my 18 month old has been super irritable with teething, doesn't motivate me to embrace the day one little bit.

I needed some comfort food today, and that came in the form of Arroz Con Leche.  I've always loved rice pudding.  My mom makes some delicious rice pudding, but it is much different than it's latin food counter part arroz con leche (at least in my book). 

I spent 18 months of my life as a missionary for my church.  I was fortunate enough to spend my days filling up on Mexican and Latin American foods.  Arroz Con Leche is a favorite.  My companion from Bolivia first taught me how to make it.  It's simple, delicious, and perfect for a belly in need of warming on a cold day. 

I used Diana Barrios Treviños recipe, from her cookbook, Los Barrios  Family Cookbook.  Her Easy Rice Pudding recipe is just what it says, easy.  Her recipe is pretty basic, and I'm not going to share it here, but it involves everyday ingredients and seasonings.  Her recipe doesn't call for cloves, but in my book, if it's arroz con leche, it needs cloves. 

Source: laylita.com via Tricia on Pinterest

You can find recipes all over the place.  Some are a bit more complex, but I'm sure that they are every bit as delicious. 

While Arroz Con Leche is far from being a health food, it sure did wonders for my emotional/mental health.  My teething toddler loved it too-no chewing involved.

It's no wonder I've gained more weight with this pregnancy than the others.  Mama loves food.  

In other news: I'm working on a tutorial for you.  It should be up by the first of next week at the latest.  Time to get my bigger than normal buns in gear.

Caramel Apple Popcorn

I love candied popcorn.  It is an easy treat, that satisfies a sugar craving. Best of all, most recipes are gluten free. I love a soft caramel popcorn, and recently decided to mix up my favorite recipe, by adding an extra ingredient...

...apple cider mix.  I added two packages of apple cider to this caramel recipe.  It added an extra layer of flavor.

I added the drink mix in the beginning, so that all of the sugar granules would fully dissolve.

The result was delicious.  This recipe may be more appropriate for the fall, but I don't care.  I'll eat caramel apple popcorn any season.

I had some left over caramel from the popcorn, and drizzled it over vanilla bean ice cream, it was fantastic.

Satisfy My Cravings: Muffins

This pregnancy has been a bit odd when it comes to cravings.  With Clark it was ice cream, potatoes, and Taco Bell.  With this little guy it was  pickles early on, Starbursts for the first two trimesters, and then just recently I've had some crazy cravings for muffins and homemade caramels.

I rarely make muffins due to my celiac disease. Although recipes can be altered, and I do it on occasion, the gluten free versions rarely meet my expectations.  So rather than disappoint my taste buds, I've been baking for my boys, and enjoying seeing Clark devour the muffins.

So...should you be in the mood for a muffin, here is a quick little round up of some delicious looking recipes that I've collected on Pinterest. Enjoy them for me.

Source: chocolateandcarrots.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes

Source: annies-eats.net via Tricia on Pinteres Orange Muffins

Source: sweetpeaskitchen.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Glazed Doughnut Muffins

Source: scalingbackblog.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Oatmeal Peach Muffins

Source: howto-simplify.com via Katie on Pinterest

Cinnamon and Sugar French Breakfast Puffs

Source: acooksquest.blogspot.com via Jen on Pinterest

Blueberry Muffins

Enjoy!  Thanks for reading.